Belle Grove Plantation History. Belle grove historic plantation | shenandoah valley, virginia. John andrews, a sugar planter from virginia, built belle grove in 1857. Truth in history at belle grove plantation. It was the home major isaac hite and his wife nelly madison hite, sister of president james madison.
Belle grove�s early history is associated with three “r�s”: Hite’s life through her own words, from her family, to her faith, to her views on the enslaved workers at belle grove. For this reason, the belle grove plantation was used as the headquarters of general philip henry sheridan during the civil war battle of cedar creek. The history of belle grove begins with the german immigration into the shenandoah valley of virginia. Belle grove was one of the largest country houses built in louisiana prior to the civil war. This website, and its related discussion group, center around belle grove plantation, formerly of iberville parish, louisiana.
In 1732, jost hite with his business partner robert mckay and 16 families, journeyed to the northern valley to settle on 140,000 acres obtained in two land grants.
Belle grove was one of the largest country houses built in louisiana prior to the civil war. The original family was related to president madison and fortunately the property as been well maintained over time. Major hite, grandson of shenandoah valley pioneer jost hite, used enslaved labor to expand his. John andrews, a sugar planter from virginia, built belle grove in 1857. This plantation has seen every point of american history from the revolutionary to present day. “when completed, its tremendous mass rose on huge brick.